payment page
Continue reading with a SparkNotes PLUS trial
Already have an account? Log in
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
|
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
|
|
Music within. Enter a Servingman
|
Music within. Enter a Servingman
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
Enter a second Servingman
|
Enter a second Servingman
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
Enter CORIOLANUS
|
Enter CORIOLANUS
|
|
CORIOLANUS 5 A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.
|
CORIOLANUS A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.
|
|
Re-enter the first Servingman
|
Re-enter the first Servingman
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
CORIOLANUS I have deserved no better entertainment,
10 In being Coriolanus.
|
CORIOLANUS I have deserved no better entertainment,
In being Coriolanus.
|
|
Re-enter second Servingman
|
Re-enter second Servingman
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Away!
|
CORIOLANUS Away!
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN 15 Away! get you away.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Away! get you away.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Now thou’rt troublesome.
|
CORIOLANUS Now thou’rt troublesome.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.
|
|
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him
|
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What fellow’s this?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What fellow’s this?
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
20 out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.
|
|
Retires
|
Retires
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.
|
CORIOLANUS Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What are you?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What are you?
|
|
CORIOLANUS 25 A gentleman.
|
CORIOLANUS A gentleman.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN A marvellous poor one.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN A marvellous poor one.
|
|
CORIOLANUS True, so I am.
|
CORIOLANUS True, so I am.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.
|
|
CORIOLANUS 30 Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.
|
CORIOLANUS Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.
|
|
Pushes him away
|
Pushes him away
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And I shall.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And I shall.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where dwellest thou?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where dwellest thou?
|
|
CORIOLANUS 35 Under the canopy.
|
CORIOLANUS Under the canopy.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Under the canopy!
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Under the canopy!
|
|
CORIOLANUS Ay.
|
CORIOLANUS Ay.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where’s that?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where’s that?
|
|
CORIOLANUS I’ the city of kites and crows.
|
CORIOLANUS I’ the city of kites and crows.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 40 I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?
|
|
CORIOLANUS No, I serve not thy master.
|
CORIOLANUS No, I serve not thy master.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN How, sir! do you meddle with my master?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN How, sir! do you meddle with my master?
|
|
CORIOLANUS Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
45 mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!
|
CORIOLANUS Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!
|
|
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
|
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
|
|
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman
|
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman
|
|
AUFIDIUS Where is this fellow?
|
AUFIDIUS Where is this fellow?
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.
|
|
Retires
|
Retires
|
|
AUFIDIUS 50 Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS If, Tullus,
|
CORIOLANUS If, Tullus,
|
|
Unmuffling
|
Unmuffling
|
|
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
55 Commands me name myself.
|
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.
|
|
AUFIDIUS What is thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS What is thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.
|
CORIOLANUS A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.
|
|
AUFIDIUS Say, what’s thy name?
60 Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS Say, what’s thy name?
Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?
|
CORIOLANUS Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?
|
|
AUFIDIUS 65 I know thee not: thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS I know thee not: thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
70 The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
75 The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
80 Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
85 Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
90 And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
95 Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
100 Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.
|
CORIOLANUS My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.
|
|
AUFIDIUS O Martius, Martius!
105 Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
110 Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
115 As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
120 Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
125 Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
130 Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
135 And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.
|
AUFIDIUS O Martius, Martius!
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.
|
|
CORIOLANUS You bless me, gods!
|
CORIOLANUS You bless me, gods!
|
|
AUFIDIUS 140 Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
145 Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
150 And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!
|
AUFIDIUS Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!
|
|
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward
|
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Here’s a strange alteration!
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Here’s a strange alteration!
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
155 false report of him.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
false report of him.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
160 cannot tell how to term it.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
cannot tell how to term it.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN 165I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Who, my master?
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Who, my master?
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, it’s no matter for that.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, it’s no matter for that.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Worth six on him.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Worth six on him.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
170greater soldier.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
greater soldier.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and for an assault too.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and for an assault too.
|
|
Re-enter third Servingman
|
Re-enter third Servingman
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN 175What, what, what? let’s partake.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN What, what, what? let’s partake.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN Wherefore? wherefore?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN Wherefore? wherefore?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
180Caius Martius.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
Caius Martius.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
185 hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN An he had been cannibally given, he might have
190 broiled and eaten him too.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN An he had been cannibally given, he might have
broiled and eaten him too.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But, more of thy news?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But, more of thy news?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
195 stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
200 yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 205 Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Directitude! what’s that?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Directitude! what’s that?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 210 But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But when goes this forward?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But when goes this forward?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 215 To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
220 This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
225 mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN ’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN ’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN 230 Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.
|
|
ALL 235 In, in, in, in!
|
ALL In, in, in, in!
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
|
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
|
|
Music within. Enter a Servingman
|
Music within. Enter a Servingman
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
Enter a second Servingman
|
Enter a second Servingman
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
Enter CORIOLANUS
|
Enter CORIOLANUS
|
|
CORIOLANUS 5 A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.
|
CORIOLANUS A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.
|
|
Re-enter the first Servingman
|
Re-enter the first Servingman
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
CORIOLANUS I have deserved no better entertainment,
10 In being Coriolanus.
|
CORIOLANUS I have deserved no better entertainment,
In being Coriolanus.
|
|
Re-enter second Servingman
|
Re-enter second Servingman
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Away!
|
CORIOLANUS Away!
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN 15 Away! get you away.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Away! get you away.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Now thou’rt troublesome.
|
CORIOLANUS Now thou’rt troublesome.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.
|
|
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him
|
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What fellow’s this?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What fellow’s this?
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
20 out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.
|
|
Retires
|
Retires
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.
|
CORIOLANUS Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What are you?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What are you?
|
|
CORIOLANUS 25 A gentleman.
|
CORIOLANUS A gentleman.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN A marvellous poor one.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN A marvellous poor one.
|
|
CORIOLANUS True, so I am.
|
CORIOLANUS True, so I am.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.
|
|
CORIOLANUS 30 Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.
|
CORIOLANUS Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.
|
|
Pushes him away
|
Pushes him away
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And I shall.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And I shall.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where dwellest thou?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where dwellest thou?
|
|
CORIOLANUS 35 Under the canopy.
|
CORIOLANUS Under the canopy.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Under the canopy!
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Under the canopy!
|
|
CORIOLANUS Ay.
|
CORIOLANUS Ay.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where’s that?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Where’s that?
|
|
CORIOLANUS I’ the city of kites and crows.
|
CORIOLANUS I’ the city of kites and crows.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 40 I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?
|
|
CORIOLANUS No, I serve not thy master.
|
CORIOLANUS No, I serve not thy master.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN How, sir! do you meddle with my master?
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN How, sir! do you meddle with my master?
|
|
CORIOLANUS Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
45 mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!
|
CORIOLANUS Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!
|
|
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
|
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
|
|
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman
|
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman
|
|
AUFIDIUS Where is this fellow?
|
AUFIDIUS Where is this fellow?
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.
|
|
Retires
|
Retires
|
|
AUFIDIUS 50 Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS If, Tullus,
|
CORIOLANUS If, Tullus,
|
|
Unmuffling
|
Unmuffling
|
|
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
55 Commands me name myself.
|
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.
|
|
AUFIDIUS What is thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS What is thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.
|
CORIOLANUS A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.
|
|
AUFIDIUS Say, what’s thy name?
60 Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS Say, what’s thy name?
Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?
|
CORIOLANUS Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?
|
|
AUFIDIUS 65 I know thee not: thy name?
|
AUFIDIUS I know thee not: thy name?
|
|
CORIOLANUS My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
70 The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
75 The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
80 Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
85 Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
90 And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
95 Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
100 Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.
|
CORIOLANUS My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.
|
|
AUFIDIUS O Martius, Martius!
105 Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
110 Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
115 As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
120 Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
125 Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
130 Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
135 And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.
|
AUFIDIUS O Martius, Martius!
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.
|
|
CORIOLANUS You bless me, gods!
|
CORIOLANUS You bless me, gods!
|
|
AUFIDIUS 140 Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
145 Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
150 And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!
|
AUFIDIUS Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!
|
|
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward
|
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Here’s a strange alteration!
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Here’s a strange alteration!
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
155 false report of him.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
false report of him.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
160 cannot tell how to term it.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
cannot tell how to term it.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN 165I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Who, my master?
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Who, my master?
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, it’s no matter for that.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, it’s no matter for that.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Worth six on him.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Worth six on him.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
170greater soldier.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
greater soldier.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and for an assault too.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and for an assault too.
|
|
Re-enter third Servingman
|
Re-enter third Servingman
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN 175What, what, what? let’s partake.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN What, what, what? let’s partake.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN Wherefore? wherefore?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN Wherefore? wherefore?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
180Caius Martius.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
Caius Martius.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
185 hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN An he had been cannibally given, he might have
190 broiled and eaten him too.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN An he had been cannibally given, he might have
broiled and eaten him too.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But, more of thy news?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But, more of thy news?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
195 stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
200 yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 205 Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Directitude! what’s that?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Directitude! what’s that?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 210 But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But when goes this forward?
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN But when goes this forward?
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN 215 To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
220 This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
225 mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.
|
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN ’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.
|
SECOND SERVINGMAN ’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.
|
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN 230 Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
|
FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
|
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.
|
THIRD SERVINGMAN Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.
|
|
ALL 235 In, in, in, in!
|
ALL In, in, in, in!
|
|
Exeunt
|
Exeunt
|
Test your knowledge
Take the Act 4, scenes v-vii; Act 5, scene i Quick Quiz
Read the Summary
Read the Summary of Act 4, scenes v-vii; Act 5, scene i.
Shakespeare’s Life & Times
Dive into our comprehensive guide to ace your Shakespeare assignments
Did you know you can highlight text to take a note?
x
